Speedometer-drive adapter



sept. 4, 1928.` 1,683,033

R. O. HELGEBY A SPEEDOMETER DRIVE AVDAPTER Filed March 21, 1927 attentati;

Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED. STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH OLAF IIELGEBY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TQ A C SPARK PLUG COM- PANY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

SPEEDOMETER-DRIVE ADAPTER.

Applicationfiled March 21, 1927. Serial 110.177,164.

My invention relates to a device which is used to connect the flexible driving member leading from the transmission or other moving` part of a motor vehicle to the speedometer which is usually installed on themstrumcnt panel. K

It is usually considered undesirable to have the driving` member lead -straightdown from the speedometer as it not only looks unsightly but also is in the way of the passengers feet. Therefore it is ordinarily curved back away from the face of the speedometer so as to be out of the way. Unless some provision is made to limit the minimum radius about which the flexible shaft may be curved, it is apt to be bent too sharp, thus causing it to break after a short time.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an adapter which may be secured to the speedometer and to which the flexible driving member may be fastened and which will definitely determine the minimum radius about which the flexible shaft may be curved.

Another object is to provide an adapter in which the portion of the flexible shaft which has to be free to fiex around the curve, will be made short and separate from the balance of the flexible shaft so that it will be less apt to break and may be more easily replaced if it should break.

lVith the above and other objects in View, my invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the specification and accompanying drawing in which;

Figure 1 is a side view of a speedometer. partly in section, showing my improved adapter attached thereto.

Figure 2 is ay section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

The numeral 10 designates a speedometer casing within which is held the speedometer frame 12. Journalled in this frame is a rotor shaft 14 provided with a squared end 16.v

receive and drive the end 16 of the rotor shaft. The member 30 is journalled in the frame and serves as a bearing for the upper end of the flexible shaft 28. Secured to the lower end of curved member 22 by a nut 32 is the usual flexible tubing 34 having a collar 36 fastened to it. This collar is provided with a flange 38 which is drawn against the member. 22 by the nut. The usual flexible shaft 40 leadmg from the transmission or front wheel, has secured to its upper end a tubular member 42 squared on its inside to receive a square tip portion 44 staked or otherwise secured to the lower end of flexible shaft 28. The member 42 is journalled in a bushing 16 pressed mtothe collar 36.

In the type of speedometer shown, the axis of the rotor shaft being vertical. it is necessary that the connection of the flexible driving member shall approach the speedometer 1n a vertical position. This is undesirable because as the speedometer is always mounted on the instrument board, the flexible driving member would not only look unsightly but would also be in the way of the passengers feet should it project straight down from the speedometer. To avoid this the flexible driving member is usually curved back away from the face of the instrument. This is not satisfactory because as the driving member is continuously caused to flex around a comparatively small radius, its life is shortened considerably. In the ordinary construction, when the fiexible shaft breaks, the whole drive must be taken apart, and an entire new flexible shaft put in.

In my construction, there is less likelihood of the curved portion of the flexible shaft becoming broken, due to the fact that it is much shorter and is less apt to whip and also because the minimum radius about which it can be bent is definitely determined. However, should it break, it is much less expensive to replace than the long shaft would be, and it is only necessary to remove the curved member in order to replace it. The floor boards or any other part of the vehicle need not be disturbed.

It is thought from the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, that the construction and operation of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that various changes in size, shape, and proportion and details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof'the appended claims.

I claim:

`l. An 4instrument drive comprising, in combination, a measuringinstrument, ar short flexible shaft connected with said instrument for the purpose of driving tliela-tter, a curved housing for said shaft secured to said measuring instrument, a driving shaft held in driving engagement with said flexible shaft, and asecond` housing encasingthe driving shaft and secured to said first named housing.

2. In combination with a. speedometer, a

main frame, a. `rotor shaft j ournalled infsaid frame, a short flexible shaft held in drivin t engagement with said rotor shaft, a .curve housing for said `fleirible shaft secured to said main frame, arelatively longer flexible shaft t sisting' ofi'a curved housing adapted to be secured to said instrument at its upper end and to receiveV said casing at its lowerend, andf a. short flexible sha-ft adapted to rotate within said curved vhousing fori the purpose of effecting a driving connection between said driving member and said instrument.

`In testimony whereof I atlix my signature. y

" RALPH oLAFHELGEBiY 

